Impacts of Chomsky’s Language Theory in China: Enchantment of Simplicity as a “Miracle Creed”

Si Fuzhen, Li Fuqiang and Kang Xing

Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2022, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (6) : 77-84.

Welcome to visit Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning!
Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2022, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (6) : 77-84. DOI: 10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20220606

Impacts of Chomsky’s Language Theory in China: Enchantment of Simplicity as a “Miracle Creed”

  • Si Fuzhen, Li Fuqiang and Kang Xing
Author information +
History +

Abstract

Revolving around the seminar concept of simplicity as the “Miracle Creed”, as claimed by Einstein and Chomsky, this paper attempts to appropriate its implications as emphasized by Chomsky and evaluate the impact this principle has on Chinese linguistic study. The paper first offers a recount of the translation and dissemination of Chomsky’s theory and ideas in China, with a focus mainly on literature translation and extensive local application, including topic-focus conferences ever organized and research platforms developed. Then, the bulk of the paper is devoted to the application of Chomsky’s theory in Chinese language study. It comprehensively reviews the research endeavors of Chinese scholars under the influence of Chomskyan linguistics, involving topics such as language universality vs. language diversity, the nature of simplicity principle, and methodologies regarding theory formulation and theory evaluation. These studies inspired by Chomsky’s theory range from Mandarin Chinese, Chinese dialects, ancient Chinese, and languages of ethnic minorities within China, to child language acquisition and elderly language cognition. In conclusion, the paper also examines the positive roles that Chomskyan ideas play in the construction of linguistics as an academic discipline in Chinese universities.

Key words

Chomsky’s language theory / “Miracle Creed” / theory formulation and theory evaluation / disciplinary status of linguistics

Cite this article

Download Citations
Si Fuzhen, Li Fuqiang and Kang Xing. Impacts of Chomsky’s Language Theory in China: Enchantment of Simplicity as a “Miracle Creed”[J]. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 2022, 7(6): 77-84 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20220606

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/